Witch Whats is a collection of whatnots for/from the witchy minded; A magick inspired blog and paranormal experience journal featuring witchcraft information from the hedge and hearth, haunting paranormal encounters, handmade ritual tools such as wands and rattles, Wicca and Pagan education, free spells and amulets to try, plus original art inspired by these topics.

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Notes On Knots

My mind is in knots today. No, I'm not confused, but am contemplating knot or cord magick. Knots can be a powerful resource to use for magick and have probably been in use since humans first gained the ability to tie a blade of grass. The turn-of-phrase to have one's "mind in knots" hearkens to the later use of knots as a spell devise to cause confusion to another person or send them the "Evil Eye", though knots are useful in nearly all types of spells. Throughout the centuries people have used knots to help fulfill all variety of magickal needs and we today can also utilize this powerful tool.

But how does one go about incorporating knot magick into a personal spell? If you're not already familiar with the basics of spellworking it would be advisable to first consult some of the many books available on the subject before trying your hand at knot magick. Though it's not vital, it is fun and magickally helpful to use color correspondences that match your goal or need as well as choosing a material with properties that match with what you want to achieve.

The graphic included with this post illustrates a variation of the chant written by Silver RavenWolf along with the positions in which knots should be tied on your cord or string (click image to enlarge). The entire chant can be used in a spell, but I've personally had success with tying only a certain number for certain needs such as three knots along with chanting "By knot of three, so mote it be" in spellwork, especially where the number has important correspondences to the overall goal of the spell. In such cases I'll often store the cord in a spell box to be removed on the nights of the next three Full Moon if three knots were tied and repeat the numeric chanting while visualizing my goal. You can use any of the individual number chants with knots to fit your needs.~

* Conjure This

Here's something to try... conjure up your own Pagan prayer cord! Prayer cords can be used for general prayer, meditation, or with the focused intent of chanting words to a spell at each knot. The number of knots you tie depends upon the purpose of your cord, but for general mediation and prayer I personally tie thirteen.
Buy or find a special strand of leather, ribbon, or pretty plump satin cord to use. Most decorative satin cording is somewhat thick, so you'll need 48" to tie thirteen knots 2" apart. The first and last knots should be 2" from the ends. When your cord is finished it can be kept by the bed side, stored in a spell box, or even carried in a bag.~

Knot For Dreamcatchers

There are probably as many dreamcatchers as there are dreams theses days. While browsing online I noticed that in photographs of dreamcatchers sections of the webbing area are tied together as in macrame rather than looped as in weaving. It caught my eye because I was taught that knots should not be used to weave a dreamcatcher web lest the knot trap a spirit and bind it or an unwanted dream to the sleeper. Instead of tying the weaving it should be looped over itself. Looping holds the web together by natural tension; After all, a dreamcatcher is supposed to represent a spider web, and spiders don't tie knots. The issued tied up my attention, so I thought that this would be an appropriate place to share my view. Whether or not you choose to knot may simply be a matter of personal preference.~

Thank you for taking the time to read my notes on knots. I hope you enjoyed yourself and found some helpful information. Click the link to my store to check the availability of handmade dreamcatchers and other ritual tools that I've made.
Brightest of blessings to you!
~~ Tree